Machine for erecting lined containers

ABSTRACT

A machine for assembling container forms in a telescoped relationship for providing lined containers. The machine is characterized by a plurality of magazines for feeding knockeddown, prescored container forms, in an on-edge orientation, pneumatically operable transport means for extracting the forms from the magazines, erecting the forms into a tubular configuration, telescopically uniting said forms, and flap manipulating means for closing at least one end of the forms for thus providing a lined container.

United States Patent Derderian et a1. S t, 12, 1972 [54] MACHINE FOR ERECTING LINED 3,041,942 7/1962 Repking ..93/36.01 CONTAINERS 1,609,491 12/1926 Myers ..93/36.01 [72]v Inventors: Edward J. Derdefian, 4515 N 3,074,325 l/1963 Schroeder", ..93/8 WA son Ave Fresno Cali93704 3,388,640 6/1968 Glannella ..53/ 175 X Ham Brillger 67 S L 2,986,078 5/1961 Hottendorf ..93/36 SQ Fowler 93625 3,452,653 7/1969 Berney ..93/36.3 x l 3,477,349 ll/1969 Bemey ..93/36.3 X [22] Filed: April 22, 1970 3,452,651 7/1969 Vadas ..93/36 SO [2]] pp No 38 642 3,482,489 12/1969 Neal ..93/36.3

Rehmd us Applicafion Data Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attorney-Huebner & Worrel [62] Division of Ser. No. 696,263, Jan. 8, 1968, Pat.

No. 3,537,361. [57] ABSTRACT A machine for assemblin container forms in a l 1 g Y 1 U S C 93/36 5 gggx; telescoped relationship for providing lined containers. 51 Int. Cl. ..B3lb 7/26, B31b l/62, Bb 41/18 The P .chmctenzed by a pluralty {581 Field of searchugus WA 3601 94 PS 36 MM A magazines for feeding knocked-down, prescored cond 36 3, 5 tainer forms,'in an on-edge orientation, pneumatically operable transport means for extracting the forms from the magazines, erecting the forms into a tubular [56] References Cured configuration, telescopically uniting said forms, and UNITED STATES PATENTS flap manipulating means for closing at least one end of a the forms for thus providing a lined container. 3,476,023 11/1969 Fuller ..53/ 169 X 4 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures SEP 1 2 l COPY sum 2 0F 7 m omm /N I/E N TO RS ZQ ,A Kym A TTORNEVS W/L L IAM L BRIO GER EDWARD J. DL'RDER/AN PATENTEDSEPJ 2 I972 SHEET 3 BF 7 ORR omw EDWARD J. DERDER/AN WILLIAM L. BRIDGE/i lNl/E N 7' OPS PATENTED 8E? 12 m2 SHEET k [If 7 wmm E & a

wk m fvwk mam EDWARD J. DE/PDER/AN WILL/A M L. BRIDGE/P 7W yM A TTORNEYS PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 3,5 0, 2

sum 6 or 7 A v d EDWARD J. DERDER/AN WILL/AM L. BRIDGE/P INVENYUAS ATTORNEYS ,zwwwwz PATENTEDSEP 12 m2 SHEET 7 [If 7 EDM/PD J. DERDERMN W/LL/AM L. BRIDGE? INVENTO/PS A TTORNEVS MACHINE FOR ERECTING LINED CONTAINERS This is a division of application Ser. No. 696,263

filed Jan. 8, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,361, issued Nov. 3,1970.

BACKGROUND or INVENTION The present invention relates to machines for forming containers, from knocked-down, that is, flattened forms of the same which are erected, or opened and squared, the bottom flaps being tucked in to form a container for receiving articles and, more particularly,

on a traveling endless chain and fed to an erecting sta tion in the machine, the erecting station including wedges adapted to enter between the flaps'of the flattened container, and an impeding lever which engages the leading comer of .thecontainer, all in a member serving to open and square the container for erecting the same.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a container forming machine of simpler construction in which multiple flattened or knocked-down forms of a container are fed from a supply thereof and are automatically opened, substantially squared and telescopically united in a reliable and rapid manner.

Still another object is to provide a container forming machine in which a plurality of magazines serve ,to supply container portions in flattened upright form which are withdrawn or plucked therefrom for opening and squaring and later assembling of the portions.

A still further object is to provide a container forming machine in which telescoping container portions are separately supplied and later assembled to form an article receiving container.

An additional object is to provide a container fonning machine in which certain flaps of the container are bent along fold lines and the bent positionsthereof are 1 set so that the flaps do not spring back from their bent positions.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the present invention which includes a container forming machine featuring a pair of adjacent magazines supporting an adequate number of the containers in flattened or knocked-down form disposed generally vertically in side-by-side relationship and advanced horizontally by a pivoted plate operatively engaged with a conveyor, a transport means, including a plurality of selectively operable pneumatic suction cups, for

withdrawing pairs of container forms from said magazines and for transporting each pair of forms in a common direction, and squaring means for imparting a tubular configuration to the withdrawn forms, and means for subsequently uniting the forms in a telescopic fashion and thereafter gluing selective flaps for thus forming a completed and lined container from each pair offorms.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 2 is a fragmentary horizontal section, on a larger scale, of the machine of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

FIG; 5 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the dispositions of the telescoping portions of the container in their respective magazines.

FIG. 6 illustrates the opening and squaring of vthe telescoping portions of the container from the knocked-down forms thereof.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view of the arm which completes squaring of the box or outer portion of the. container.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 8-8 of FIG. 2 illustrating the action of the box flap openers.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary vertical section taken generally along line 9-9 of FIG. 2 illustrating the action of the box flap closers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT cooperative relation will be brought out more fully in a description of the overall operation of the machine. As will later appear, a number of air rams are utilized in the machine which are of conventional relay-controlled solenoid-valve operated type well known and widely used in the art. A showing of such relays and valves is considered unnecessary for a clear understanding of the present invention. However, although the relays and valves are not shown their operative presence is understood in the description of the operation of the air rams in response to the actuation of switches associated therewith.

Magazine sections 202a and 202b are essentially similar to magazine section designated 22 in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 3,537,361, which is incorporated herein by reference thereto. It is, however, to be understood that the magazine sections 2020 and 202b are complete even though some parts are not shown or referenced by numeral. Accordingly, referring also to FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, magazine section 2020 includes rails 32a, endless chains 34a, rod 400, backup plate 44a, shaft 178a driven by a ratchet mechanism actuated by an air ram 1860 under the control of a switch 52a, etc. Similarly, magazine section 202b is provided with rails 32b, chains 34b, rod 40b, a shaft 178b driven by a ratchet mechanism actuated by an air ram l86b under the control of a switch 52b, etc.

Viewing FIGS. 2 and 5, it will be noted that magazine section 202a contains a supply of container forms 24a and that magazine section 202b contains a supply of container forms 24b. Container portions 24a and 24b are in knocked-down or flattened form and are adapted to be opened and squared and telescopically assembled into a container for receiving articles to be packed therein. Accordingly, the portions are formed of a size and shape such that portion 24b forms the exterior or box portion of the container and portion 24a fits inside of portion 24b and becomes a liner portion or closure for the container. Each portion is formed with four sides and has four flaps, later identified, extending therefrom to one side thereof with slots between the flaps and the usual fold lines between adjacent sides and between the sides and the adjacent flaps.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 and with later assembly in view, liner portions 24a are supported in the magazine section 202a with sides 214a and 214b and flaps 2l4e and 2l4f facing the picker section 204a with the flaps thereof projecting or extending toward picker section 204b. To hold the leading container portion 24a of the supply in magazine section 202a in operative or ready position, there is provided a pair of upstanding rods 218 suitably supported in the framework 200], each rod 218 mounting a roller 220 and a pivoted finger 222, rollers 220 pressing against side 2l4b and flap 214g, respectively, fingers 222 pressing against side 214a and flap 214e, respectively, and urged into such engagement by springs 224, as best seen in FIG. 2. Rollers 220 and fingers 222 exert a drag on the leading liner portion 24a for opening and squaring the same as it is extracted or withdrawn from the magazine section, as will later appear. To assist further in the opening of the container portion 24a, a projection or drag finger 226 may be mounted to project into the slot 214a between flaps 214a and 2l4f and supported on the adjacent rod 218. Also, an arcuate member 228 is disposed in the path of side 2l4b and is adjustably secured to a transverse horizontal rod 230 mounted on the upper ends of the rods 218.

Box portions 24b are supported in magazine section 202b with sides 216a and 216d facing forwardly, the former above the latter, the flaps thereof extending toward the magazine section 202a. For holding the leading box portion 24b in operative or ready position and exerting drag thereon for opening the same upon withdrawal thereof, there is provided a pair of upstanding rods 232 suitably supported in'the framework 200f, the rods having mounted thereon pivoted holding fingers 234 biased by springs 236, a projection or drag finger 238 projecting into slot 2l6b between flaps 216e and 216k and an arcuate member 240 secured to a transverse horizontal member 242.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, picker section 204b includes a box picker carriage 244 mounted for linear movement on a pair of generally horizontal rods 246 suitably supported in framework 200], such movement being imparted thereto by the retraction and extension of an-air ram 248. Carriage 244 includes generally horizontal and vertical members 244 and 244v, respectively. Pivotally mounted on the member 244v for swinging about a transverse axis is a picker head lever or arm 244a which has a rock arm 244r actuated by an air ram 250 suitably connected to the member 244h. Picker head arm 244a suitably supports a plurality of suction cups 252 connected to a source of vacuum by a suction line including flexible tubing or piping 252p. Thus, retraction of air ram 250 swings arm 244a from a generally horizontal position shown in FIG. 4 and disposes the suction cups 252 in position shown in phantom lines in the figure which places the cups in engagement with side 216d of the leading box portion 24b, as shown in phantom in FIG. 5.

With cups 252 suctionally engaging side 216d, extension of the air ram 250 swings arm 244a downwardly to the generally horizontal position as shown in FIG. 4 and withdrawn the leading box portion 24b against the drag exerted thereon by fingers 234 and 238. In the process, opening of the box portion 24b is initiated and engagement of arcuate member 240 with side 216a further assists in the opening and substantial squaring of the box portion, as shown in FIG. 4.

With arm 244a disposed generally horizontally, rock arm 244r actuates a switch 254 causing retraction of air ram 248 for moving the carriage 244 away from the magazine section 202b and placing the opened box portion 24b carried thereby into the entrance of flight section 210 and in alignment with the pusher section 206 and the flap opening section 208.

In the meantime, picker section 204a withdraws a liner portion 24a from magazine section 202a and moves it into the pusher section 206. Referring also to FIG. 3, picker section 204a includes a liner portion picker carriage 256 mounted for linear movement on a pair of parallel, generally horizontal rods 258 suitably supported in frame 200/1 Movement is imparted to carriage 256 by an air ram 260, also suitably supported in frame 200]. Picker carriage 256 supports a plurality of suction cups 262 connected to a source of vacuum by a suction line including tubing or piping 262p, the suction cups being supported so as to engage side 214a of the leading liner portion 240 in the magazine section 202a, as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5.

Thus, upon retraction of air ram 260 side 214a of the leading liner portion 240 is pulled away from the magazine section 202a, rollers 220 and fingers 222 and 226 exerting drag on the liner portion for effecting initial opening thereof upon withdrawal, arcuate member 228 engaging side 214b assisting in the opening and substantial squaring of the liner portion which is withdrawn into the pusher section 206. During such action, the opened liner portion is drawn onto a generally horizontal support platform 264 and under a pivoted depending plate 266, the upper portion of the picker carriage 256 moving through an aperture 268a in a generally vertical plate 268, see FIGS. 3 and 8. The suction cups 262 are disposed generally'in the plane of the plate 268 when air ram 260 is retracted, thereby bringing side 214a of the liner portion thereagainst. With side 214d of the liner portion resting on platform 264 and side 214a against plate 266, the liner portion is squared, plate 266 dropping into place back of trailing side 214c after the latter has passed. Plate 266 thus serves to maintain the squared condition of liner portion24a after vacuum has been cut off from suction cups 262, as will later appear. Liner portion 24a is now in alignment with the withdrawn box portion 24b and is adapted to be inserted into or telescoped therewith by action of the pusher section 206 and theflap opening section 208.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 8, pusher section 206 includes a pusher carriage 270 supported for linear movement on a pair-of parallel generally horizontal rods 272 and reciprocating movement is imparted thereto by operation of an air ram 274, the rods and the air ram being suitably supported in the frame 200f of the machine. Pusher carriage 270 is provided with a generally vertically disposed pusher plate 276 which is fitted with rectangularly related angle irons 278 elements of which are adapted to project into the open and squared liner portion and maintain the squared condition thereof shortly after retraction of air ram 274 commences. However, air ram 274 cannot be operated until certain conditions are satisfied, as will later appear.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4 and 8, flap opening section 208 includes a plurality of swinging wedge-like arms 280, each fixed to a rock shaft 282 rotatably mounted in the frame 200f and interconnected by gearing 284 for'simultaneous swinging of the arms. As seen in FIG. 2, arms 280 and rock shafts 282 are disposed generally in a vertical plane and are adapted to swing outwardly from such plane, as shown in FIG. 8, by operation of an air ram 286 pivotally supported on frame 200f by a mounting bracket 288 and operatively connected to a rock arm 290 affixed to the lower horizontal rock shaft Associated with the flap opening section 208 is a pair of air rams 292 which operate to extend and retract contact heads 294 for tucking in the end flaps 216e and 216g of the box portion 2.4a, as will later appear.

Viewing FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, flight section 210 includes an upper endless flight chain 300 reeved or trained about an idler sprocket 302 and a driven sprocket 304 secured to a generally horizontal shaft 306, the shaft and sprocket 302 being rotatably supported in the framework 200f. Also secured to the shaft 306 is a sprocket 308 adapted to be driven by movement of an I endless chain 310 trained about idler sprockets 312 and314 suitably supported in the frame 200f. Chain 310 also meshes with a sprocket 316 fixed to a shaft 318 journalled in the frame 200f. Fixed to shaft 318 is a sprocket 320 driven by a chain 322 trained thereabout and about a sprocket 324 associated with a clutch and brake device 326, the device being driven by means of a motor 328 and belting 330. Secured to shaft 318 and driven thereby is a pair of laterally spaced apart sprockets 332 about which are trained a pair of endless flight chains 334 which are also trained about three sets of idler sprockets 336 suitably supported in the framework 200f. When device 326 has been actuated to cause rotation of sprocket 324, the sprocket is driven in a direction such as to cause the adjacent runs of chains 300 and 334 to move from left to right as viewed in FIG. 4 and define a flight section channel 2100 therebetween.

from cleats 344, the latter being disposed opposite the cleat 340 in the flight channel. Normally, flight chains 300 and 334 are stopped with a cleat 338 generally in the vertical plane of the plate 268, the opposite pair of cleats 342 being similarly disposed.

Viewing FIG. 4, it will be appreciated that opened box portion 24b may be slightly rhombic in cross section as it is inserted into the entrance of the flight section channel 2100 by movement of box picker carriage 244 with retraction of air ram 248. For the purpose of squaring the opened box portion 24b, there is provided a squaring arm 346 mounted on frame 200f for swinging and adapted to be actuated for engaging the trailing side 2l4c of the box portion and moving it so that the edges of the leading side 216a of box portion are engaged by the cross cleats 338 and 342 just ahead.

Referring also to FIG. 7, it will be seen that arm 346 and is actuated by an air ram 348 suitably mounted in frame 200f and operatively connected to the arm by a rocking lever 346r.

Simultaneously with the actuation of squaring arm 346, flap opening arms 280 are swung outwardly from their generally vertical plane and engage the flaps of the box portion 24b, as shown in FIG. 8. With the operation of the flap opener arms 280, the box picker carriage 244 is causedto return to the magazine section 202b, the pusher section 206 is caused to operate for moving pusher plate 276 so that projections 278 carried thereby engage within the liner portion 24a for maintaining the squared condition thereof. As the pusher plate commences to move the liner portion, the vacuum of the suction cups 262 is interrupted and the liner portion 24a is released for insertion into the awaiting box portion 24b. With continued movement of the pusher plate, the liner portion is inserted into the box portion, such insertion being ended when the liner portion has been fully telescoped into the box portion with the liner portion flaps extending beyond the box portion, as shown in FIG. 8.

After the pusher carriage 270 hascleared the path of movement of the liner picker carriage 256, the picker carriage is caused to return to the magazine section 202a back of the pusher carriage 270. After the portions 24a and 24b have been telescoped into an assembled container, the pusher carriage 270 is caused to return to its initial normal starting position.

With return movement of carriage 270, air ram 286 is operated for return of the flap opener arms 280 to their normal positions and air rams 292 are operated for tucking in end flaps 216e and 216g of the box portion 24b. Shortly afterwards, the clutch and brake device 326 is actuated for initiating movement of the flight chains 300 and 334, cleats 340 and 344 just behind the assembled container engaging the edges of trailing side 2160 of boxportion 24b and moving the assembled container through the flight channel 2100 to the flap closing and compressing section 212.

Viewing FIG. 4, during movement to section 212, the side flaps 216f and 216h of the box portion 24b are engaged by a pair of plow members 349 for folding the side flaps inwardly toward closing position and glue is applied to the tucked in end flaps 216e and 216g by a suitable gluing device 350 which is solenoid operated and activated on actuation of a switch 351 engaged by the box portion 24b as it passes by.

With movement of the assembled container into alignment with section 212, flight chains 300 and 334 are caused to stop and air rams 292 are retracted for withdrawing the contact heads 294. This is achieved by the action of a cam 352 in a manner later made clear, the cam being secured to shaft 318 for rotation therewith.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9, flap closer and compressor section 212 includes a pair of generally parallel guides 353 which in effect are extensions of the plow members 349 and serve to hold the side flaps in their partially folded or bent positions. Associated with the guides is a pair of flap closer members 354 supported on the distal ends of arms 356 fixed to a pair of parallel rock shafts 358 suitably mounted in the frame 200f for rotation to provide for pivotal movement of the arms 356 about generally horizontal axes. Shafts 358 are interconnected by gearing 360 for simultaneous rocking thereof and opposite swinging of the arms 356, the lower shaft 358 having fixed thereto a rock arm 362 to which motion is imparted by the extension and retraction of an air ram 364 for swinging of the arms 356 and the flap closers 354 carried thereby from the open position of the flap closers, as shown in FIG. 8, to the closed position thereof, as shown in FIG. 9. In moving to the closed position of FIG. 9, the flap closers complete the closing of the partly folded side flaps 2l6f and 216h of the box portion 24b and in the closed position provide a planar surface which serves as a backup plate engaging the exterior portions of the closed side flaps.

Section 212 also includes a compressor head carriage 366 mounted for linear sliding movement on a pair of generally horizontal rods 368 mounted in parallelism on frame 200]", movement being imparted to the carriage 366 by the extension and retraction of an air ram 370 also mounted on frame 200f. Resiliently connected to carriage 366 by means including of a plurality of springs 372 is presser plate 374. Thus, with extension of the air ram 370, presser plate 374 is inserted into the opened and squared liner portion 24a of the assembled container and engages the closed bottom of the box portion 24b for pressing the glued flaps into adhering engagement. After a predetermined time delay, air ram 370 operates to withdraw the presser plate and return to its normal position shown in FIG. 1. Also, air ram 364 is caused to retract and move the flap closer members 354 to their normal open or separated positions.

With the next cycling movement of the flight chains, the assembled container is moved away from section 212 for eventual discharge from the machine 200. If desired, suitable plow members may be provided for turning the assembled container ninety degrees to present the same with the flaps of the liner portion 24a directed upwardly after which the container may be subjected to the action of devices similar to the flap kicker arm, presser plate and plow members of the type disclosed in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,537,361 for outwardly bending the flaps of the liner portion 24a in order that the assembled container may be presented in an open condition ready for the reception of articles to be packed therein.

OPERATION The operation of the dual magazine machine of the present invention is believed to be clearly apparent and is briefly summarized at this point. Except for the ram 370 which employs a time delay relay for control thereof, the air rams utilized in the machine 200 are of the type which are operated by the appropriate positioning of a solenoid-operated valve which is controlled by a suitable relay of conventional type. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, it is assumed that stacks of the liner portions 24a and box portions 24b are disposed with the leading knocked-down form of each of the portions in operative or ready position and the several parts of the machine are in their normal positions; that is, the liner and box picker carriages 256 and 244 are adjacent their respective magazine sections 202a and 202b with suction cups 262 in engagement with the leading flattened form of the liner portion 24a and suction cups 252 in engagement with the leading flattened box portion 24b, pusher carriage 270 is in the position shown in FIG. 1, squaring arm air ram 348 is retracted, the flap opener arms 280 are disposed generally in a vertical plane, flap tucker air rams 292 are retracted, the flight chains 300 and 334 are stopped, the flap closers 354 are in their separated positions of FIG. 18, and air ram 370 is retracted disposing the compressor head carriage 366 completely clear of the flight section channel 210e, as shown in FIG. 1.

In its normal position, carriage 366 engages and actuates a switch 376 which is serially connected with a switch 378 actuated when engaged by pusher carriage 270 in the normal position thereof, FIG. 1. Switch 378 controls a valve, not shown, for connecting suction cups 262 to the source of vacuum. Also connected in series with switches 376 and 378 are pressure responsive switches, not shown, which are operatively connected to the suction lines 252p and 262p between the source of vacuum and the suction cups 252 and 262. Thus, with vacuum on, unless the suction cups 252 and 262 are in engagement with the leading knocked-down container portions of the magazine sections, the pressure responsive switches will not be actuated and the machine will not operate. Additionally, power is delivered through a master control relay, not shown, which is activated by a press button starting switch, not shown.

To commence operation, the vacuum is turned on and with the suction cups 252 and 262 up against the lead knocked-down container portions of the magazine sections, the suction cups suctionally engage the leading container portions and the suction causes the pressure responsive switches to complete a portion of the control circuitry. With the pressing of the starting switch, the mast control relay is activated and power is delivered to the several parts. At the start, air ram 250 is caused to extend and withdraw the box portion 24b which is opened and partially squared in the process of the withdrawal, as shown in FIG. 4.

Full extension of air ram 250 actuates switch 254 which causes air ram 248 to retract and pull the box picker carriage 244 away from the magazine section 202b and move the withdrawn box portion 24b into the entrance of the flight section channel 210c and into alignment with the flap opening section 208 and the pusher section 206, whereupon carriage 244 actuates a switch 380 which causes extension of air ram 348 and actuation of squaring arm 346 for final squaring of the box portion 24b and retraction of air ram 286 for outready position.

ward swinging of flap opener arms280. Retraction of a r ram 286 actuates a switch 382, FIG. 8, which causes a .valve,"not shown, to interrupt the vacuum for break- .244 approaches its normal position, it actuates a switch 384causing retraction of air ram 250 and the erection of arm 244a, full return of carriage 244 to normal position placing suction cups 252 in engagement with the next box portion form 24b which has been advanced to With the extension of air ram 250 at the start, air ram 260 is retracted and moves the liner picker carriage 2S6 andthe liner portion 24a carried thereby into the pusher section 206 in. alignment with the opened and squared box portion 24b. The liner portion 24a has side 214d, thereof resting on platform 264 and .side 214a t the suction cups 262 is interrupted, thereby releasing the liner portion for its movement by the carriage, FIG. 1. After the pusher carriage 270 has cleared the path of movement of liner picker carriage 256, it actuates a switch 388 which causes air ram 260 to extend and return the liner picker carriage 256 to the magazine section 202a where suction cups 262 engage the flattened form of the next liner portion 24a which in the meantime has beenadvanced to the ready position by operation of air ram 186a under control of switch 52a.

As seen in FIG. 3, with carriage 256 positioned adjacent magazine section 202a, a switch 390 is actuated which is-in series with switch 392, FIG. 1, actuated at the end of travel of pusher carriage 270. As previously mentioned, associated with the suction line to cups 262 on carriage 256 is a pressure responsive switch, not shown, which is actuated when there is suction in the line. This occurs when switch 378 is actuated upon return of pusher carriage 270 to normal position and provided cups 262 are in engagement with the leading liner portion 24a in magazine section 202a. When this occurs, and provided switches 376 and 384 are actuated by compressor head carriage 366 and box picker carriage 244, respectively, air ram 260 will be caused to retract and move carriage 256 away from the magazine section 202a. Until such time as the aforementioned conditions are satisfied, carriage 256 remains positioned as shown in FIG. 3.

During travel of pusher carriage 270 toward switch 392, the opened and squared liner portion 24a moved thereby is inserted telescopically into the awaiting opened and squared box portion 24b with sides 2l4a-d of portion 24a completely telescoped within sides 2l6a-d of portion 24b and the flaps of portion 24a extending beyond the portion 24b to provide a partially assembled container, as shown in FIG. 8.

Upon actuation of switch 392, air ram 274 is caused to extend for returning pusher carriage 270 to its normal position shown in FIG. 1;

During return to normal position, carriage 270 actuates switches 394 and 396 in consecutive order. Actuation of switch 394 causes extension of air rams 286 and 292 for return of flap opener arms 280 to normal position, in which they are disposed generally in a vertical plane, and the tucking in of flaps 2l6e and 216g of box portion 24b. Actuation of switch 396 activates a relay, not shown, which controls the clutch and brake device 326 causing it to operate for releasing the brake and engaging the clutch to put flight chains 300 and 334 into motion. With movement of the flight chains, cleats 340 and 344 at the entrance of the flight channel 210: engage behind the partially assembled container and move it through the flight section.

As the partially assembled container is moved by the flight chains to the flap closing and compressor section 212, plow members 349 engage and partly fold side flaps 216f and 2l6h of box portion 24b and glue is applied to the folded end flaps 2l6e and 216g of the portion, FIG. 4. The partly folded side flapsare received by guides 353 of section 212 and are maintained in partly folded condition.

When the partially assembled container has been aligned in the flap closing and compressor section 212, cam 352 on shaft 318 actuates a switch 398 of the double throw type. Cam 352 has a lobe portion, not shown, such that when it engages and throws switch 398 in one direction, the clutch and brake device 326 is caused to operate for disengaging the clutch and applying the brake to stop the flight chains 300 and 334, air ram 364 is caused to extend and bring flap closers 354 together to close side flaps 216f and 216k and form a planar backup, and a time delay relay, not shown, is activated for causing air ram 370 in due course to extend and move carriage 366 for pressing the closed flaps together, and later retraction of the carriage to the normal position shown in FIG. 1.

In the meantime, pusher carriage 270 has returned to normal position and switch 378 has been actuated for re-establishing vacuum to suction line 252p so that the pressure responsive switch associated therewith is also actuated. Therefore, when carriage 366 has been returned to normal position, the control circuitry is again closed and the cycle of operation is repeated.

When motion is again imparted to the flight chains 300 and 334, cam 352 is rotated and the lobe portion thereof moves away from switch 398 and the switch is thrown in the opposite direction for causing air ram 364 to retract and return the flap closers 354 to their normal separated positions, as shown in FIG. 8, thus clearing the way for the next partially assembled container.

It will be appreciated that many of the parts may be made to provide for adjustability as to positioning or timing to form different sized containers at various rates of production. Production rates of about 30 containers 'per minute have been found to be satisfactory with the machines operating in a rapid and reliable manner at such rates. It is understood, of course, that the machines are not limited to such rates but may be operated as desired.

There has thus been provided a method and ap paratus for forming containers from knocked-down forms thereof which embody the principles of the present invention and operate in a reliable manner to form containers at a rapid rate.

Although the invention has been herein shown and described in what are conceived to be the most practical and preferred methods and apparatus, it is recognized that departures may be made therefrom within the scope of the invention, which is not to be limited to the details disclosed herein but is to be accorded the full scope of the claims so as to embrace any and all equivalent methods and apparatus.

Having described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a machine for erecting lined containers from a pair of tubular container forms, the combination comprising:

A. a first and a second magazine arranged in a sideby-side relationship including means for simultaneously advancing in a common direction and delivering in an on-edge disposition a first and a second prescored flattened form to be erected into a horizontally oriented tubular configuration havingorthogonally related side panels;

B. a container assembly station spaced from said magazine including means for receiving erected fonns in coaxial relation;

C. a first form extracting and transport means for extracting said first form from said first magazine and for erecting said first form into a tubular configuration as it is extracted from said first magazine, and for thereafter transporting the erected form along a first path to the container assembly station including,

1. a first head having a first array of pneumatic suction cups positionable in a vertical plane for engaging and affixing the first head to a vertically disposed panel of said first form advanced by said first magazine of said pair of magazines,

2. means for moving said head through 90 of arcuate motion while affixed to said panel for thereby positioning the head in a horizontal plane, whereby said first form is extracted from said first magazine and said panel is reoriented to a horizontal disposition,

3. means including an arcuate surface for engaging said first form as the first head is advanced through 90 of arcuate motion for initiating erection of said first form into a horizontally oriented tubular configuration, and

4. means for linearly advancing said first head along a first linear path to said container assembly station while the first head is affixed to 2 a said panel;

D. means including a pivotally supported squaring arm for engaging said first form at said assembly station for imparting thereto a squared condition; and

E. a second form extracting and transport means for extracting said second form from said second magazine, for erecting said second form into a tubular configuration as it is extracted from said magazine, and for thereafter transporting the erected form to the assembly station along a second path paralleling said first path including,

1. a second head supporting a second array of suction cups in a vertical plane for engaging and affixing the second head to a vertically disposed panel of said second form advanced by said second m gazine of said pair of magazines, 2. means or imparting inear moron to said second head while it is affixed to said vertically disposed panel of said second form for thereby extracting said second form from said second magazine, and

3. means including an arcuate surface for initiating erection of the second form into a horizontally disposed tubular configuration as it is extracted from said second magazine.

2. In the machine of claim 1, wherein each of said forms includes laterally extended flaps, and said container assembly station includes means for outwardly folding selected flaps of said first form and a ram supported for rectilinear reciprocation in a plane above said forms having a depending plate for engaging said second form and advancing said second form along a path extending normal to said first and second linear paths into said first form.

3. The machine of claim 2 further comprising means for applying glue to selected flaps of said one form, means for inwardly folding said flaps of said first form into superimposed relationship and compressor means for compressing said flaps in a superimposed relationship.

4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said compressor means includes a pair of plates pivotally supported for engaging the adjacent surface of the outermost flap of said first form, and a plunger head supported for rectilinear reciprocation through said container forms' into engagement with the adjacent surface of the innermost flap, whereby the flaps are compressed between said pair of plates and said plunger head. 

1. In a machine for erecting lined containers from a pair of tubular container forms, the combination comprising: A. a first and a second magazine arranged in a side-by-side relationship including means for simultaneously advancing in a common direction and delivering in an on-edge disposition a first and a second prescored flattened form to be erected into a horizontally oriented tubular configuration having orthogonally related side panels; B. a container assembly station spaced from said magazine including means for receiving erected forms in coaxial relation; C. a first form extracting and transport means for extracting said first form from said first magazine and for erecting said first form into a tubular configuration as it is extracted from said first magazine, and for thereafter transporting the erected form along a first path to the container assembly station including,
 1. a first head having a first array of pneumatic suction cups positionable in a vertical plane for engaging and affixing the first head to a vertically disposed panel of said first form advanced by said first magazine of said pair of magazines,
 2. means for moving said head through 90* of arcuate motion while affixed to said panel for thereby positioning the head in a horizontal plane, whereby said first form is extracted from said first magazine and said panel is reoriented to a horizontal disposition,
 3. means including an arcuate surface for engaging said first form as the first head is advanced through 90* of arcuate motion for initiating erection of said first form into a horizontally oriented tubular configuration, and
 4. means for linearly advancing said first head along a first linear path to said container assembly station while the first head is affixed to said panel; D. means including a pivotally supported squaring arm for engaging said first form at said assembly station for imparting thereto a squared condition; and E. a second form extracting and transport means for extracting said second form from said second magazine, for erecting said second form into a tubular configuration as it is extracted from said magazine, and for thereafter transporting the erected form to the assembly station along a second path paralleling said first path including,
 1. a second head supporting a second array of suction cups in a vertical plane for engaging and affixing the second head to a vertically disposed panel of said second form advanced by said second magazine of said pair of magazines,
 2. means for imparting linear motion to said second head while it is affixed to said vertically disposed panel of said second form for thereby extracting said second form from said second magazine, and
 3. means including an arcuate surface for initiating erection of the second form into a horizontally disposed tubular configuration as it is extracted from said second magazine.
 2. means for moving said head through 90* of arcuate motion while affixed to said panel for thereby positioning the head in a horizontal plane, whereby said first form is extracted from said first magazine and said panel is reoriented to a horizontal disposition,
 2. means for imparting linear motion to said second head while it is affixed to said vertically disposed panel of said second form for thereby extracting said second form from said second magazine, and
 2. In the machine of claim 1, wherein each of said forms includes laterally extended flaps, and said container assembly station includes means for outwardly folding selected flaps of said first form and a ram supported for rectilinear reciprocation in a plane above said forms having a depending plate for engaging said second form and advancing said second form along a path extending normal to said first and second linear paths into said first form.
 3. The machine of claim 2 further comprising means for applying glue to selected flaps of said one form, means for inWardly folding said flaps of said first form into superimposed relationship and compressor means for compressing said flaps in a superimposed relationship.
 3. means including an arcuate surface for initiating erection of the second form into a horizontally disposed tubular configuration as it is extracted from said second magazine.
 3. means including an arcuate surface for engaging said first form as the first head is advanced through 90* of arcuate motion for initiating erection of said first form into a horizontally oriented tubular configuration, and
 4. means for linearly advancing said first head along a first linear path to said container assembly station while the first head is affixed to said panel; D. means including a pivotally supported squaring arm for engaging said first form at said assembly station for imparting thereto a squared condition; and E. a second form extracting and transport means for extracting said second form from said second magazine, for erecting said second form into a tubular configuration as it is extracted from said magazine, and for thereafter transporting the erected form to the assembly station along a second path paralleling said first path including,
 4. The machine of claim 3 wherein said compressor means includes a pair of plates pivotally supported for engaging the adjacent surface of the outermost flap of said first form, and a plunger head supported for rectilinear reciprocation through said container forms into engagement with the adjacent surface of the innermost flap, whereby the flaps are compressed between said pair of plates and said plunger head. 